25 Greatest Movie Villains of All Time

14. The Joker, 'Batman'

Who's more quotable than Jack Nicholson's Joker? As petty crook-turned-bleached madman Jack Napier, Nicholson gave a sadistic edge to the laugh-happy comic book villain first made famous by actor Cesar Romero. "Ever dance with the devil in the pale moonlight?"—David Onda (Photo: WB)

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Daniel Day-Lewis isn't just one of the best actors in the world, he's also one of the best movie villains. The star received a Best Actor Oscar nomination for his role as a Civil War-era crime boss in New York City.—David Onda (Photo: Miramax)

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You don't see actor Tom Wilson in many movies these days. Luckily, his Hollywood legacy is cemented in Biff Tannen, the bully who terrorizes a young George McFly and, ultimately, gets his clock cleaned.—David Onda (Photo: Universal)

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Cruel, unforgiving, heartless. These are just a few words that describe mobster Tommy DeVito. When it comes to mob movie villains, few actors played a more despicable goodfella than Joe Pesci. "I'm funny, how? I mean, funny, like I'm a clown?"—David Onda (Photo: WB)

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Open wide and say, "Aaaaaaaaaaaah!" Actress Louise Fletcher became one of the most memorable female villains in movie history for her portrayal of the cold, tyrannical head nurse at an Oregon mental facility. —David Onda (Photo: WB)

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"Greed is good," and so was actor Michael Douglas, who won an Oscar for his portrayal of ruthless corporate raider Gordon Gekko. The character's representation of excess and financial skulduggery is more relatable now than ever.—David Onda (Photo: Fox)

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Although Hannibal Lecter gets the lion's share of credit for creepery in this 1991 classic, we often forget that the lotion-applying Buffalo Bill (played by Ted Levine) was the actual villain of the movie. And I bet you've never helped a stranger move a couch since.—David Onda (Photo: MGM)

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If you're not familiar with actor Robert Mitchum, you should be. And you should start by watching him as the serial killer "preacher" in "The Night of the Hunter." This guy was tattooing his knuckles ("love" on one hand, "hate" on the other) long before the rap community did.—David Onda (Photo: United Artists)

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How does a robotic shark prop make the list of greatest movie villains? Ask anyone who tried to go for a dip in the ocean during the summer of 1975. Do-do. Do-do. Do-do-do-do-do.—David Onda (Photo: Universal)

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She's got one of the most terrifying faces in movie history and absolutely loathes wire hangers. If actress Faye Dunaway didn't make you appreciate your mother, she must have been a pretty scary lady.—David Onda (Photo: Paramount)

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No movie villain has been less seen, but had more of a cultural impact than the hunter (a.k.a. "man") in Walt Disney's classic "Bambi." Singer Paul McCartney has even credited his involvement in animal rights issues to the moment when Bambi's mother is shot, which upset him when he was a child.—David Onda (Photo: Disney)

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Who's more quotable than Jack Nicholson's Joker? As petty crook-turned-bleached madman Jack Napier, Nicholson gave a sadistic edge to the laugh-happy comic book villain first made famous by actor Cesar Romero. "Ever dance with the devil in the pale moonlight?"—David Onda (Photo: WB)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Few things make a villain more horrifying than when he (or she) mixes happiness with terror. And that's exactly what happened when actor Malcolm MacDowell ad libbed a version of "Singin' in the Rain" while brutalizing a female victim.—David Onda (Photo: WB)

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There is no shortage of horror villains to choose from — Freddy, Jason, Chucky, Jigsaw, Gingerdead Man. But there's nothing scarier than a villain who walks at a casual pace, but still catches up to his sprinting victims. Plus, he's huge, invincible and has the face of William Shatner.—David Onda (Photo: Compass Pictures)

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When you have a voice like Alan Rickman's, you come out of the womb ready to play a villain. As terrorist Hans Gruber, Rickman proved that you don't have to get your hands dirty (well, maybe a little) to be an effective villain.—David Onda (Photo: Fox)

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Move over, Julia Roberts and Charlize Theron. There's only one evil Queen, and she was animated more than 70 years ago. Walt Disney's Queen is doubly evil, causing havoc as both the icy crowned witch seen above, and as the weathered old wench who tricks Snow White with the poisoned apple.—David Onda (Photo: Disney)

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Why is Nazi Lieutenant Amon Goeth one of cinema's most villainous villains? Do I really need to explain? Actor Ralph Fiennes received an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of this horrible real-life murderer and war criminal.—David Onda (Photo: Universal)

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When it comes to holiday movies, nobody out-Scrooges Ebenezer better than Mr. Henry F. Potter. Played by actor Lionel Barrymore, the curmudgeonly slumlord is the main antagonist to lovable everyman George Bailey. In the world of cinema, there are few men as hateable.—David Onda (Photo: RKO Pictures)

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Voldemort, who? Through six movies, "Harry Potter" fans despised Professor Snape (played by Alan Rickman!) for his relentless attempts to hurt, humiliate or silence the Boy Wizard. But the gloves finally came off when Snape killed Hogwarts' beloved headmaster, Albus Dumbledore in "The Half-Blood Prince."

Sure, Snape ends up being one of the good guys by the end of the saga, but it's hard to erase 10 years of intense distaste for one character.—David Onda (Photo: WB)

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It was a movie that changed the film industry, and he was the maniac at the center of it. As deranged innkeeper (and momma's boy) Norman Bates, actor Anthony Perkins taught us that the boy next door just might be hiding his deceased mother and dressing in her clothes.—David Onda (Photo: Paramount)

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There are witches and then there is the witch. Actress Margaret Hamilton helped make the green-faced sorceress one the most recognizable faces in pop culture. From her blood-curdling voice to her sharp physical features, the Witch was a formidable foil for the super sweet and innocent Dorothy (and her little dog, too).—David Onda (Photo: WB)

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After meeting with director George Lucas, actor Dave Prowse was offered one of two roles in "Star Wars." The first was a good guy named Chewbacca. The second was the bad guy. Before Lucas had the chance to explain the villainous role, Prowse accepted it. Why? Because, he's said, people never forget the villain. And they haven't. Today, Darth Vader is one of the most familiar and imposing figures in the entire world and, although James Earl Jones gave him a voice, Prowse gave him life.—David Onda (Photo: LucasFilm)

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When it comes to movie villains, Hannibal Lecter has it all — brains, brawn and insanity. Anthony Hopkins' performance was chilling in every aspect. The actor skillfully navigated a character who straddles the line between good (as he helps the FBI catch a serial killer) and evil (he eats people), and earned an Oscar for doing so. It's rare that a movie villain scares us with the things he says, rather than the things he does.—David Onda (Photo: MGM)

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In the last 20 years, there has been no villain better than the late Heath Ledger's Joker. The character is not only a prime example of a movie antagonist, but an unparalleled portrait of an actor who mastered his craft.

Ledger's performance was deep, nuanced, calculated and succeeded in reinventing one of pop culture's most popular personalities. From the smallest flick of his tongue, to the twiddle of a finger, every move was riveting.

Heath was awarded a posthumous Oscar for his performance as The Joker, which is rare for a villain, but even an even bigger feat for a comic book character.—David Onda (Photo: WB)

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